Is there a relationship between pregnancy and breast cancer risk?
Women who are exposed to hormones released by their ovaries have a higher chance of getting breast cancer, according to research (endogenous oestrogen and progesterone). Breast cancer risk has been linked to reproductive variables that enhance exposure to ovarian hormones, which drive cell development, over a longer period of time. Early menstruation, a delayed beginning of menopause, and prolonged exposure to high hormone levels in the breast tissue, such as being older when pregnant for the first time or never having given birth, are only a few of the risk factors.
Because the number of menstrual cycles a woman has throughout her life is reduced during pregnancy, this reduction in exposure to endogenous hormones is related with a lower risk of breast cancer. The direct effects of pregnancy and nursing on the maturation of the breast cells, resulting in milk production, are also a result. These differentiated cells may be more resistant to developing cancerous than undifferentiated cells, according to some researchers.
Are any pregnancy-related factors associated with a lower risk of breast cancer?
It’s been linked to breast cancer prevention by several pregnancy-related variables. These are some of the factors:
First full-term pregnancy at a young age. Having a full-term pregnancy at a young age reduces the chance of acquiring a kind of breast cancer later in life, according to a study. First full-term pregnancy before the age of 20 is associated with a lower risk of breast cancer than women who had their first pregnancy after the age of 30. Only hormone receptor-positive breast cancers are protected from this risk decrease; the risk of hormone receptor-negative breast cancer does not seem to be influenced by the age at which a woman has her first full-term pregnancy.
The number of newborns is on the rise. For every additional kid, the likelihood of developing breast cancer decreases. There is a 50% lower risk of breast cancer among women who have had five or more children compared to those women who have not had children at all. A larger number of births may lessen the incidence of hormone receptor positive breast cancer, according to certain studies.
Preeclampsia’s long and illustrious history. Breast cancer risk may be lower in women who have had preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is a pregnancy condition characterized by elevated blood pressure and an excess of protein in the urine. Preeclampsia-related hormones and proteins have been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer.
Breastfeeding for a longer period of time. Both hormone receptor–positive and hormone receptor–negative breast cancers may be reduced by breastfeeding for a long length of time (at least one year).
Are any pregnancy-related factors associated with an increase in breast cancer risk?
Breast cancer is more likely to occur in women who have recently given birth. These are some of the factors:
Birth of the first kid at an older age. Breast cancer risk increases when a woman’s age increases during her first full-term pregnancy. Breast cancer is more common in women who have given birth after the age of 30 than in women who have never given birth.
Recent motherhood. Breast cancer risk rises temporarily for women who have just given birth, although this rise diminishes after around ten years. Temporary increases in breast cancer risk may be caused by a rise in breast cell proliferation during pregnancy or by an increase in hormone levels that may affect cancer development.
To take DES when pregnant is a dangerous practice. An artificial type of oestrogen, DES, was used between the early 1940s and the early 1970s to avoid miscarriages and other pregnancy complications. For women who used DES during pregnancy, the chance of getting breast cancer may be slightly elevated. Women who use DES during pregnancy may have an increased risk of breast cancer in their daughters beyond age 40, according to some studies, although there is a lack of consistent data.
